Liquor laws favour industry: report

Australia's liquor laws favour the interests of the alcohol industry over those of police trying to reduce alcohol-related crime, a new report says.

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, based at Flinders University in Adelaide, has reviewed liquor licensing legislation across the country.

It says the problems associated with intoxication place a major burden on police and the laws they enforce are sometimes outdated, overly complex and in need of fundamental reform.

The review found licensing laws tend to favour the interests of the alcohol industry and do not always give police and liquor licensing authorities the powers they needed.

"Alcohol intoxication is a major problem despite the fact that it is an offence in every state and territory for the staff of licensed premises to continue to serve alcohol to drunken patrons," head of the review Ann Roche said.

"Over the past decade Australia has experienced a dramatic increase in the numbers and types of licensed premises, enhanced hours of alcohol availability and a larger range of alcoholic beverage types.

"The reports from the project provide an important opportunity for the country to take stock of liquor licensing arrangements and to ensure that they best serve the needs of the community."

Among the review's key recommendations are a call for police to be more involved in the law-making process and for more resources, training and support for police to enforce licensing laws.

It also suggests a national annual forum be conducted to allow police to share information on liquor law enforcement.